How we could exploit the stalemate between NY and Chicago. Based on speculation that the biggest holdup that Chicago won't take the Penny (13.5) or TThomas (11.8) contracts and New York doesn't want to take both the bad contracts of ERob and JWill for its contracts that expire next year. Also using last years salary numbers (because that is what USA Today has - but they increase equally so it will not matter). Deal 1: TThomas (11.8) for MoT 7.8, Pike 2.2 and (either Lue 1.5, boki 1.4 or Gaines 1.1) and the TE for Mutumbo (4.0) and FWilliams (.9) Gives us a PG in FW, backup C in Mut and a better PF in TThom. NY breaks down a big contract into smaller pieces and a TE to get Crawford. Deal 2: Penny 13.5 for MoT 7.8, Spoon 5.45. OR, Penny + Othella 2.9 for MoT 7.8, Spoon, Pike 2.2 could also include TE for Mutumbo/Fwilliams/etc. We would get rid of our 2 worst contracts and get one back. NY would get smaller contracts which it could use to deal for Crawford. Deal 3: TE to the Bulls for a bad contract (either JWill or ERob) - as part of NY's deal to get Crawford. NY send us KThomas+FWilliams for MoT+Pike+Boki (not sure of the exact numbers on KurtT, but this should be close) We get a 3rd player to round out our frontcourt - which is huge. Hopefully we can also get FWilliams to play PG. NY gets a couple of role players and a decent backup PF (if Baker or Sweetney cna start) and does not have to take the onerous contracts of either ERob or JWill. Deal 4: Houston gives: 5.45+TE as a part of the deal, but separate as required to use the TE: TE 6.9 mil for ERob (6.2 last year, approx 6.9 mil this year) if TE is only 5.4, then tweak a little (send TE for Mut/FW) Spoon 5.45 Houston gets: (4.9+TE) = 11.8 ERob 6.9 Mutumbo 4.0 good backup C FWilliams .9 might be the best PG we can get NY gives: 11.6 Mutumbo 4.0 (or combo of othella(2.9) and CTry (backup C at 1.6) FWilliams 0.9 Shandon 6.7 NY gets: 12.0 Crawford 6.6 (approx based on deal discussed on insider) JWilliams 5.4 Chic gives: 18.2(ERob and Jwill are the players they wish to deal): Crawford 6.6 Erob 6.2 Jwill 5.4 Chic gets: TE (6.9)+ 12.15 =18.35 TE Shandon 6.7 Spoon 5.45 there could be many variations of this deal but the gist is that we give up redudnant players like a backup PF with a large contract (spoon or MoT), out TE and maybe a couple of cheap backups like Pike or Boki for positions we need to fill like PG and bacup C.
how bout this one: Houston sends: TE to Chicago Pike to NY Chicago sends: Crawford to NY (via Houston) Jerome Williams to NY Chris Jefferies to Houston NY sends: Mutumbo, F. Williams to Houston O.Harrington, 1st rounder to Chicago Houston gets Mutumbo, F. Williams, and Chris Jefferies who all fill needs. NY gets Pike, Crawford, and JYD. Two good players and a long contract in JYD. Chicago gets a 1st rounder, Harrington(reasonable contract), TE and loses JYD's Contract in the processes. Moves Crawford who would have been lost in FA for nothing, as well as loses the headache he has become.
If we're to take advantage of the Chi-NY stalemate, it would be to get Jamal Crawford. He's no saviour, but at 6'5", he would certainly help our size disadvantage that we had last year at the 1-2-3 spots (T-Mac being our 2/3, of course). Juwan and Lue for re-signed Crawford and Junkyard Dawg, using the TE to make up the 5 mil discrepancy (thereabouts).
DrP - your deal could works also - its just a variation of what we can offer and what we could get - good idea. The only suggested deals that would give us cap space in 2006 is the one for TThomas or Penny - but that cap sapce in 2006 is just a bonus. The deals makes us better now. Mutumbo would be a great backup center and FWilliams could start or at the least he is a great backup pg. If the Kurt Thomas deal could work (but I doubt NY would go for that one) - that would take us to the finals. I like Crawford - but I think JJ's game will better complement TMac.
I am completely against getting Crawford as well. You want to surround your star players with efficient role players - Crawford is not efficient and wants to be a T-Mac of his own.
I like some of these variations. I wouldn't mind getting TT. From what I remember about him, he is big, athletic, and can shoot decently form the outside. If JVG could get him to play D, he could help against the TDs and KGs in our conference. Realizing that no one can stop these guys, and that they only be contained, he may be able to do that. I personally would take any PG mentioned- Crawford, Frank Williams, or one of the Bulls. All we need is someone to play D, bring the ball up, and knock down open shots.
If all it took was the TE and Pike to get Mutumbo, Williams and Jefferies you've got my seal of approval.
